Constructor: Adam Wagner, Michael Liberman and Rafael Musa

Relative problem: Easy

THEME: “In Play” — enjoying round with (the that means of) “IN”. Circled squares within the first 4 themers include phrases that grow to be the premise for understanding the final 4 themers; that’s, within the high half of the grid, the circled-square phrases are “In” the longer solutions, offering “literal depictions” of the corresponding theme solutions within the backside half of the grid (the place all solutions comply with the sample ___ IN ___). Thus:

Theme solutions:

• RECTANGULAR PRISM (23A: Stick of butter geometrically)
• “LOVE WILL TEAR US APART” (31A: Seminal 1980 hit by Joy Division)
• MOUNTAIN STATES (50A: Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming, amongst others)
• “DOCTOR DOLITTLE” (61A: Hit 1998 Eddie Murphy comedy primarily based on books by Hugh Lofting)
• GET BACK IN SHAPE (71A: Recommit to at least one’s health … or what 23-Across depicts actually) (“reclaim” (i.e. a phrase that means “get again”) is actually inside RECTANGULAR PRISM (a “form”)
• BREAK OUT IN SONG (82A: What characters in musicals typically do … or what 31-Across depicts actually) (“erupt” (i.e. synonym of “escape”) is actually inside “LOVE WILL TEAR US APART” (i.e. a “track” title)
• FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES (98A: Useful folks to know … or what 50-Across depicts actually) (“mates” (slang for “associates”) is actually inside MOUNTAIN STATES (i.e. “excessive locations”)
• PICTURE IN PICTURE (110A: Screen characteristic that facilitates multitasking … or what 61-Across depicts actually) (“doodle” (i.e. a “image”) is actually inside “DOCTOR DOLITTLE” (i.e. a movement “image”)

Word of the Day: SNES (120A: Old online game console inits.) —

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), generally shortened to Super NES or Super Nintendo, is a 16-bit dwelling online game console developed by Nintendo that was launched in 1990 in Japan and South Korea,1991 in North America, 1992 in Europe and Oceania, and 1993 in South America. In Japan, it’s referred to as the Super Famicom (SFC). In South Korea, it’s referred to as the Super Comboy and was distributed by Hyundai Electronics. The system was launched in Brazil on August 30, 1993, by Playtronic. Although every model is basically the identical, a number of types of regional lockout forestall cartridges for one model from being utilized in different variations.

The Super NES is Nintendo’s second programmable dwelling console, following the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The console launched superior graphics and sound capabilities in contrast with different programs on the time. It was designed to accommodate the continuing improvement of quite a lot of enhancement chips built-in into sport cartridges to be aggressive into the subsequent technology. (wikipedia)

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Apologies for what is going to undoubtedly be a considerably transient write-up—we even have New Year’s Eve plans! This by no means occurs! But we’re dedicated to an 8pm dinner reservation at Parlor City Vegan, a pleasant native restaurant run by much more pleasant folks, and since I do not need to weblog *after* dinner, and since I *positively* do not need to strive getting up early (but … nonetheless adjusting to this northern hemisphere / jap time zone nonsense), I would like to do that now, when the puzzle comes out (at 6pm on Saturday) and I have to do it quick (in time for me to shave and bathe earlier than dinner). There’s going to be a tarot reader! I did not even discover this a part of the dinner till my spouse pointed it out to me simply now. I noticed that there have been numerous programs named “Water Sign,” “Air Sign,” and so on. however I had no thought they have been committing to the bit so exhausting. I’ve by no means had any formal occult expertise, however I’m Ready for something New (regardless of its Truth Value). OK, I nonetheless have not began the write-up. You see how this can be a downside. Remember: blame jet lag. Onward!

This was a three-parter—the primary half, the place I remedy the puzzle usually, placing the theme solutions collectively, high to backside; the second half (the funnest half), the place I hit the primary “depicts actually” clue after which your complete theme ideas drops without delay, and I remedy all of the remaining themers bam bam bam; and the third half, clean-up. I believe it was value it for half two alone. I made a decision to only gulp all of the themers down without delay. I challenged myself to see if I might remedy all of them with no assist from crosses. And I’m completely satisfied to say: problem … risen to! That was awkward. Let’s strive once more: mission achieved!

Sometimes I take problem with themes that give themselves away so simply, however since there was a secondary puzzle factor to these later themers, the place you had not solely the straight definitions however the visible cues from the sooner (higher half of the grid-) themers that will help you out. This meant that getting these themers within the backside half with no crosses went from extremely unlikely to positively potential. I loved the journey (and the success!). As for the remainder of it (elements 1 and three), yeah, certain, all of it holds up effective—higher than most Sundays, for certain. I had no thought butter was formed like a “prism”—the one prisms I do know aren’t rectangular, they usually mirror mild, however I simply belief this can be a mathematical / geometrical idea of which I’m ignorant, effective. I actually actually Really beloved the Joy Division clue. About as “in my wheelhouse” as you may get with out really taking the precise form of my wheelhouse. I threw “LOVE WILL TEAR US APART” throughout the grid with solely the “V” in place and was so completely satisfied that I really thought “effectively, you in all probability f’d it up by some means … is not ‘LOVE WILL TEAR US APART‘ an INXS track!? Do you even know something about music?!” (that is how my mind treats me roughly 16 of the 24 hours of the day). But no, ha, fortunately, my Joy Division reminiscence was spot on. I like the way in which the puzzle kinda sorta half-fudges “DOCTOR DOLITTLE” into being a “image” (by merely cluing it as such). It’s a e-book, however … sure, additionally a (movement) image, many occasions over, however most notably / not too long ago with Eddie Murphy within the title function. 

I used to be fully baffled by ENCELADUS (3D: Moon of Saturn discovered to have a probably inhabitable ocean), which seems like Latin for “enchilada,” so I wanted each single cross there, however fortunately these have been all readily gettable. No different severe challenges. Had some hesitation over finishing “IT’S NO ___” (coulda been “IT’S NOT ___” or … effectively, it coulda been loads of issues). Wrote in OSAGES (!?!?!) earlier than OZARKS as a result of I do not know why really (62D: Region encompassing many of the Arkansas/Missouri border). Wrote in PERLS earlier than PURLS as a result of I actually thought that is the way it was spelled (48D: Makes sure knitting stitches). Got ING and AIG confused, as I typically do (6D: Big inits. in insurance coverage). Misremembered NIALL as NEALL at first. Thrilled that I remembered that SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) was a factor, as a result of that’s one ugly and hard-to-infer abbr. Otherwise, no wrestle. Big thumbs-up to POSES NUDE, “IT’S NO BIGGIE,” and POUR IT ON. OK, that is it, gotta get able to exit and eat / get my tarot on! Happy New Year, everybody!

P.S. very cute that the three of them labored COLLABORATE into the grid. Yay group!

Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld

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